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Watching the news can be disheartening. There are so many people suffering around the world. You don’t even have to go far to see this suffering. It is right outside your doorstep. We pass less fortunate people every day on our way to work. Some of us encounter them every day as we carry out our tasks at work. Many of us would like to do something to assist those less fortunate than ourselves. However, it can be difficult finding the right way to do it. We are not able or willing to leave our homes or jobs in order to dedicate our lives to assisting the less fortunate. This may not be the life or career path we would choose for ourselves. This doesn’t mean that we cannot assist those who are less fortunate. Islam teaches us how we can care for our neighbours by sharing the fruits of our labour. Lilah is a term that is often used to express the beauty of the Islamic community. It is a reminder that we are all part of a larger community and should therefore look out for each other. This teaching of Islam encourages faithful Muslims to give to the less fortunate. Zakat is a type or form of Lilah. By giving zakat, the faithful Muslim is stretching out a helping hand to those in need. Giving of Zakat is an obligatory practice amongst Muslims. Giving your Zakat to a charitable organisation will ensure that it supports the work of the organisation and enables it to assist more people. Sadaqah is not mandatory like Zakat. It is alms that are given voluntarily for the cause of Allah. It is often given on special occasions such as weddings, anniversaries and other personal occasions as a mark of the occasion or for bringing blessings. There are no set amounts for Sadaqah. The amount given is dependent on the person giving the alms. Qurbani is an Arabic word that means sacrifice. It is an act of worship that is performed on special days. These days include the 10th, 11th or 12th of Thul Hijjah in accordance with the Islamic calendar. The offering given often consists of livestock. The livestock is slaughtered and distributed to the poor or the relatives and friends of the person performing the act of worship. Those in urban areas where livestock is not available can donate their Qurbani to a charitable organisation in the form of money.
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Lilah, Qurbani, Sadaqah,
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